The EI Podcast Iran’s strange Scottish obsession
Apr 13, 2026
Rob McHair, long-form essayist and commentator with diplomatic insight, explores Iran's curious use of Scottish nationalism. He recounts scripted protests, troll farms and cultural tactics. He links Tehran's strategies to fears of internal minorities and to attempts to unsettle Britain. He questions how effective these moves really are.
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Staged Scottish Slogans In Yazd Protest
- Rob McHair recounts being driven away from a Yazd crowd waving Farsi placards reading Freedom for Scotland amid predictable chants of death to England.
- The demonstration was staged by Basij militia answering the IRGC, illustrating manufactured pro-Scottish messaging on the ground in Iran.
Iran's Multi-Channel Push For Scottish Sympathy
- Iran runs a long-standing campaign to promote Scottish independence using TV, social media bots, and cultural outreach like inviting Scottish delegations.
- Examples include Press TV, pro-Scottish social accounts, and a 2015 invitation to Alex Salmond's delegation from the Iranian parliament.
Bagpipes, Kilts, And A Diplomatic Protest
- Rob McHair was formally protested by Iran's Foreign Ministry after his trade attaché filmed himself piping in public while wearing a kilt.
- Iranian officials objected less to the music than to the kilt exposing knees, which they saw as non-hijab compliant.
